By Britney Bailey, For the Tribune
OXFORD– Clay-Chalkville (8-0 5-0) earned another Region 6 championship on the road against Oxford Friday night,
The Cougars knocked off the Yellow Jackets 28-14.
Oxford and Clay-Chalkville took the field both undefeated in region play.
Aaron Osley got things started early for the Cougars on their first possession with a 10-yard barrel up the middle to give the Cougars a 7-0 lead after the PAT from Antione Ellison.
The Cougar defense held off Oxford’s progression on their first possession forcing a failed field goal attempt to hang on to the lead.
A blocked punt in the second quarter put the Cougars in Oxford territory, leading the way for a 33-yard bomb from Jaylen Mbakwe to the hands of Mario Craver to up the Cougar lead to 14-0.
Another impressive drive for the Cougars with 2:00 remaining in the half ended with a 2-yard touchdown run from Taurus Chambers to give the Cougars a comfortable 21-0 lead going into the half.
Defense was the name of the game for both sides, but an abundance of penalties on the Cougars behalf helped Oxford put points on the board in the fourth quarter.
A missed PAT held the score at 21-6. An Oxford turnover late in the fourth quarter handed the Cougars a defensive touchdown courtesy of linebacker Rod Ivy.
Oxford slipped through the Cougar defense and added to the scoreboard with just :45 to go in the ballgame, tacking on a 2-point conversion to give a final score of 28-14.
Regional championships are familiar territory for the Cougars as this marks the third in a row.
“Anytime you win this region, it’s big time, it’s a really tough region,” said Cougar Head Coach Drew Gilmer. “Hats off to our guys for coming out here and getting a win. Finding a way, it wasn’t pretty, but that’s what you have to do this time of year. Find a way to win and move on.”
Clay-Chalkville returns home next Friday to face Shades Valley at 7pm.